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Vespula pensylvanica
Vespula pensylvanica shares its basic yellow and black pattern with other species of wasp in genus Vespula and its sister genus Dolichovespula which are collectively known in North America by the common name "yellowjacket." V. pensylvanica, however, is the only member of its species group that has a complete yellow eye ring around each compound eye. This eye ring is also visible in queen wasps of this species.
Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline wild fennel plant. Point Richmond, CA
I spotted this Western Yellowjacket while I was walking in the Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline.
5 Comments
Thank you FrancisQuintana--I managed to avoid a sting!
Thank you baamenabar!
Great spotting and great ID, I would have identified as a Vespula vulgaris, (for the pattern on the back), but as you write the yellow eye ring is very characteristic.
Thanks Akash--it looks regal to me.
nice patterns :)